Miss Quinn's Quandary (20 page)

“I trust we shan’t be disturbed here,” he said, sounding as
serious as ever.

Larissa closed her book and laid it on her lap, giving him her
complete attention.

“It seems every time I get up the nerve to speak my mind, there’s
a blasted interruption.”

“The only one who would dare to invade this sanctum is you,”
Larissa countered his agitation with calm.

“That’s consoling news.” He passed in front of her to pace.

“What is it you wish to see me about?”

He swung around to face her. “Do you realize we haven’t had a
single moment alone since my return?”

“Why do I have the distinct impression you want something from me?”

“Want?” He gave a nervous chuckle, crossing his arms. “I just
want everything to remain the way it is.”

“What exactly do you mean by ‘everything?
’ ”

He did not answer her directly, but digressed into an
explanation. “We have been kept quite busy,” his voice softened, releasing his
discontent and anger, “with exposing Lady Dorothea’s collaboration with Lord
Fenton in the
Bussin
’ Billy scheme and all. There
hasn’t been time to attend
to
much of anything else.”

“By ‘anything else’ you are referring to,” she prompted him.

Sir Randall sat next to her and enveloped her hands with his. His
dark, soulful eyes gazed at her, making her feel weak and silly. “I don’t want
our marriage to end.”

“But we’re not really married.” He had been acting this rumor for
so long, perhaps he was beginning to believe it himself.

“As far as everyone else is concerned, we’ve been married since
before the Season. Even your aunt and my uncle believe it. We shall never be
able to marry openly.”

“And you are suggesting what?” Larissa did not need to pretend
she did not understand what he was saying, because she didn’t.

Sir Randall drew her closer, sliding the sleeve of her wrapper
upward to continue his feather-light kisses from her hand up her arm.

“I propose a trip on the Great North Road. Gretna Green, to be
specific. To set to right these past few months.”

“You want to marry me?” It hadn’t come as a surprise, exactly.
However, his intentions had caught her off guard.

“You know I am not rich, but I have just been informed that my
Aunt Constance, the earl’s first wife, my mother’s sister, has left an
inheritance due to me upon my marriage and my Uncle Cyrus has increased my
quarterly allowance threefold. We shall have enough to purchase a house in the
country and make modest investments toward our future.”

“Do you think I care about money? I would not accept your offer
because of money.”

“I know,” he whispered. “You accept me because of this.” Sir
Randall pulled her against him and kissed her. When he finally pulled away it
left her breathless. He held her close, she could feel his chest rise and fall,
fighting for air. “You’ve told me you wanted me, and I’m telling you I want
you. Is that so hard to understand? I can’t promise you excitement or adventure.”

“Yes, I do love you,” she confessed, having an equal problem
catching her breath. “I think I have had enough adventures to last a lifetime.”

“What I can promise is my love,” Sir Randall stated sincerely.
“As you wish, no more adventures.”

“Nothing would please me more.” Larissa met his lips with hers
for a slow, wonderful kiss. After all this time of being his rumored wife it
would come true, Larissa would become Lady Randall Trent.